Why was Dre Greenlaw ejected vs Seahawks? What happened between the 49ers LB and Ernest Jones IV? Explained

The San Francisco 49ers will be without linebacker Dre Greenlaw for the remainder of their Sunday matchup against the Seattle Seahawks following his ejection in the second quarter.

Greenlaw was ejected from Sunday’s rivalry clash with 6:04 remaining in the second quarter for headbutting Seattle linebacker Ernest Jones IV, who had removed his helmet.

The altercation began when Greenlaw received a 15-yard penalty for an unnecessary late hit on Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold.

After Darnold gained five yards on a scramble and was moving toward the sideline, Greenlaw delivered an additional shove as the quarterback went out of bounds.

The play carried over to Seattle’s sideline, where Seahawks players gathered around Darnold. Greenlaw then got into a verbal exchange with Seattle middle linebacker Ernest Jones IV.

The confrontation escalated when Greenlaw, still wearing his helmet, headbutted Jones, who was standing on the sideline without his helmet.

Greenlaw was previously ejected during the 49ers’ December 3, 2023, game against the Philadelphia Eagles following an altercation with Eagles chief security officer Dom DiSandro.

The linebacker was also fined $11,941 by the NFL last week for taunting the Denver Broncos’ sideline.

Before his ejection against Seattle on Sunday, Greenlaw had recorded two combined tackles, including one solo tackle and one assisted tackle.